Holyoke Community College: Featured Professor

Ask your colleagues what they did this summer. We did. And what we found was: our faculty and staff did more than work on their tans. They added to the collective “wow” of the HCC community by adding some interesting experiences to their resumes.

Soon after the campus cleared out for the summer, HCC President Bill Messner received an invitation from Holyoke Mayor Michael Sullivan to take a stroll through the city. Chronicled in a news story that appeared in The Republican, this stroll gave HCC faculty, staff and friends, an eye-opening look at the city we call home.

In addition to participating in a triathlon in Ludlow (“just for fun”), Office for Students with Disabilities Director Maureen Conroy pedaled more than 160 miles as a part of the 31st annual Pan-Mass Challenge. That’s right: 160+ miles: from Wellesley to Provincetown! This two-day bike-a-thon raised more than $28 million for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. For her part, Maureen raised over $4,000 (donations are still coming in).

CAPS Center Director Paulette Dalpes also got her sweat on this summer, participating in no less than six sprint triathlons. A sprint triathlon involves a half-mile swim, a 15-mile bike ride, and a five-kilometer run. The triathlons were held in Salem, Ludlow, Marlboro, Webster, Chicopee, and Denver, CO. Dalpes says she enjoys the physical exercise and the camaraderie, but is not looking to make it into the record books.

Taber Art Gallery Coordinator Amy Johnquest was featured in summer edition of New England Watershed Magazine. In an article titled “Introducing the Amazing, the Spectacular Amy Johnquest, aka the Banner Queen,” writer Carlin Carr introduces readers to Johnquest’s lifelong passion for art, for adventure, and for the “little version of a freak show in us all.” If you are not already aware of Amy’s terrific work, you can view it at her website, www.bannerqueen.com.

After classes ended, HCC theatre instructor Tim Cochran flew to Scottsbuff, Nebraska to direct a world premier of the musical comedy “Married Alive” Staged at the Theatre West Repertory June 6-17, the production was later produced at Chicago’s Marriott Theatre and is now in negotiations for an off-Broadway run sometime this fall. Written by Sean Grennan with music by Leah Okimoto, “Married Alive” tells the story of a long-married couple who attempt to share their matrimonial wisdom with another couple who are just starting out.

Assistive Technology Specialist Bob Baran is rarely idle, but this summer he was busier than usual. During the last week in July, Baran flew to Johns Hopkins University where he served as a mentor for Youth Slam, a four-day conference for vision-impaired high-school students from across the country. More than 200 students attended the conference, where they learned more about how to pursue their interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. Legally blind since the age of 22, Baran, now 46, said the week-long sojourn gave him new perspective on his work here at HCC.

The folks involved in the ENLACE initiative did not take any time off this summer. Working with Holyoke area high school science teachers and educators from Hampshire College, they put together a week-long science camp for middle school students. The idea behind the camp is to make science, technology, and mathematics graspable for the next generation of high school students. The camp was held at Hampshire College’s Amherst campus, so ENLACE Director Isolde Ortega Bustamente and ENLACE Program Manager Gustavo Accosta used HCC’s vans to transport the Holyoke teens to and from the camp each day.

Faculty member Monica Torregrossa was the keynote speaker at a brief ceremony held to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Torregrossa, a native of Chile, talked movingly about "another September 11": the Tuesday in 1973 when a military coup forever changed life in her native Chile.

"At the time, I thought the military would restore order and my country would resume elections in a few months," said Torregrossa, who was just 12 years old when the coup was staged. "I was wrong."

For the next 16 years, she said, thousands of her countrymen were murdered, tortured, or sent into exhile. Torregrossa was remembering the coup and all of the subsquent terror as she drove to work on a sunny morning in September of 2001.

"I was thinking 'This is so great that, in the United States, there are no fighter jets that will attack the capital,'" she said. "When I learned about the attacks[in NYC, DC, and PA], I thought it was a cruel joke. I was doubly puzzled by the coincidence: no one else was thinking about my 9-11. "

Torregrossa reminded the gathering of the parallels between the Chilean coup and the terrorist attacks of six years ago. Quoting an article by Chilean novelist, playwright, poet, essayist, journalist, and human rights activist Ariel Dorfman, she urged the crowd to "'look at ourselves in the vast mirror of collective humanity...there are many Sept. 11th's scattered across the globe.'"

The campus is undergoing some much-needed improvements in the central courtyard area this fall. You’ve probably noticed the blazing yellow ribbons and screaming orange “lace” barriers. While they are up, it will take a little longer to get from class to class, so you might want to figure in an extra fewminutes on your commute times.

In a little more than a month, the ribbons, mesh, and construction workers will be gone. But, for now, we ask that you respect these barriers, as they will keep you safe from errant nails and wet cement.

We also ask that you scan the throngs of new and returning students to see if there’s someone who looks hopelessly lost amidst this upheaval. When you see that person, take a minute and ask him/her if you can help locate the classroom, bathroom or elevator that they are looking for. If you cannot point them in the right direction, check out the yellow signs that are in each of the stairwells and scattered throughout the campus. They might jog your memory as to what is located on each floor.

Got Luminus?

Whether you are a student who wants to see what the assignment is or you are a teacher who wants to get that assignment out to your class, the My HCC Portal is your passport to quick, clear communication at HCC.

My HCC is a communication tool that allows users to receive and send information that will help them be effective in whatever role they play at HCC: student, staff, adjunct or full-time professor. Think of it as a one-stop mall for e-mail, calendar, groups and course tools.

To get there, log onto https://myportal.hcc.mass.edu. In the “Secure Access” login box, enter your user name (that’s usually your first initial and last name) and your password. Then click the “Login” link. Once you log in, the system displays your homepage.

You will see tabs with predefined channels. This layout reflects content that is relevant to your specific role (student, faculty, etc.). You may also add new tabs to your personal layout and populate them with other channels to which you are able to subscribe, or with any URL to which you want to link.

Navigation Bar: You will see your custom navigation bar consistently across the top of each page. Consider this navigation bar your roadmap to various points of interest within the HCC system. The navigation bar consists of two main areas of navigation:

The tabs, which will give you access to different sections of content, and

The applications, which are represented as icons across the top right-hand side of the page (e-mail, calendar, groups).

Changing Your Password: From within My HCC Portal click the “Content/Layout” link. Passwords can contain numbers and letters, must be at least six characters long, and cannot be a dictionary word.

Logging Out: Remember to log out so others cannot access your account, especially if you are at a computer lab. Accounts timeout from inactivity after 30 minutes.

Comings and Goings

As we greet the new school year, we bid adieu and hello to a number of faculty and staff. Leaving HCC for new adventures are: Mary Farrell, Maureen Wildey, Lisa Wyatt Ganson, Jan Nettler, Louise Hurwitz, Deb Flynn-Gonzalez, Sharon Wetherby and Cindi Patterson.

Coming on board are: Interim Dean of Academic Affairs Winston Lavallee, Interim Dean of Human Resources Pam Baran, STRIVE Program Manager Ojae Beale, Lab Tech Jill Burckhardt, Kittredge Center Clerk Valentyna Semyrog, Advancement and Tranistion Clerk Janesee Pacheco, and many new faculty, including: Holly Martin, Alexandra Wagman, Ed Clancy, Jason Tandon, Julie Kizershot, Allia Matta, Laura Hutchinson, Patricia Quinn, Mary Grassetti, Tricia Kiefer, Anne Fine, Teresa Beaudry and Audrey Kilcoyne.

Kim Gifford has recently joined the Office of Institutional Development where she is helping our new Development Director, Diana Stiles. And, while she may look the same, our director of Marketing and Public Relations has a new name. The former Anne B. Garber returned from her summer vacation as

Anne B. Sroka after her August marriage to Jim Sroka. Congratulations to Anne and Jim!

More than 300 people jammed into the Bartley Center on June 7 for the college’s 60th birthday party, which ran from 5 until 9:30 p.m. Alumna Kathryn Shepardson headlined the speaking portion of the program, which also featured longtime Holyoke journalist Mike Burke, former HCC President David M. Bartley, former Holyoke Mayor William Taupier, and former Massachusetts Lt. Governor Donald Dwight. The gala also featured a 60 foot-long birthday cake, constructed by the confectionary artists at Big Y, which sported edible photos from the college’s storied 60-year history. HCC alum Leo Pilares added to the color of the evening by creating three caricatures of the college’s three permanently installed presidents: George M. Frost, David M. Bartley, and William F. Messner. If you missed this party, you really missed a good one. The cavernous gymnasium remained jam-packed until well after 9:30 p.m.

Golas tapped to receive national award

HCC Athletic Director Rick Golas

The National Association of Two Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) on June 7 honored Holyoke Community College Athletic Director Rick Golas with a Founding Fathers Award.

Golas, of Agawam, is one of 10 athletic directors nationwide who were honored with the award during the annual conference of the National Association of College Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the parent association of NATYCAA. The ceremony took place in Florida.

The award recognizes Golas’ role in establishing NATYCAA, an association which supports the unique role played by two-year college athletic programs nationwide. In the 1980s, Golas was one of four NACDA board members who initiated break-out sessions that looked specifically at the needs of two-year colleges athletic programs. Those sessions eventually led to the establishment of the National Association of Two Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) in 1987.

Rico Petrocelli headlines the HCC Golf Tournament, Sept. 10

The HCC Foundation, Inc. hosted its 20th Annual Golf Invitational on September 10, at the Springfield Country Club in West Springfield.

Red Sox legend Rico Petrocelli made a special guest appearance at this event, where he shook hands with Red Sox and Yankee fans alike.

Proceeds from the invitational will go to the HCC Foundation, Inc., which supports the students and educational programs of Holyoke Community College. Sponsorships start at $100 and will give businesses an opportunity to reach many golfers. Current sponsors include Fontaine Brothers, Inc., the First American Insurance Agency, and TD Banknorth.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Urban Planners come to HCC on Sept. 18

Community and business leaders will be coming to the Kittredge Center on Tuesday, September 18 for “Modeling Change for Urban Communities,” the first in a four-part economic forecasting series sponsored by HCC, the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, and the Bank of Western Massachusetts.

The breakfast meeting will run from 7:45 to 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $20 and they should be reserved by Sept. 17.

Headlining the Sept. 18 breakfast will be James Stergios, executive director of the Pioneer Institute, Barry Bluestone, the executive director for Northeastern University’s Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Holyoke Mayor Michael Sullivan, State Senator Michael Knapik, and Alan Blair, president of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts.

The economic forecasting breakfast series will help businesses and communities plan ahead for anticipated growth, challenges, and opportunities. Future program topics include: global trade, information security and assurance, and changing education pathways.

James Stergios is the former chief of staff and undersecretary for policy in the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, where he chaired the Water Policy Task Force, and drove the secretariat’s efforts on land protection, smart growth, and regulatory and permit reform. Barry Bluestone is the dean of Northeastern University’s Social Science, Urban Affairs, and Public Policy program and the author of several books on public policy.

You are invited to the Leslie Phillips Forum on Sept. 25 for a talk by Eric Reeves, the author of “A Long Day’s Dying: Critical Moments in the Darfur Genocide.” The talk will begin at 11 a.m.

An English language and literature professor at Smith College, Reeves has spent the past eight years working full-time as a Sudan researcher and analyst. He has testified several times before the Congress and has served as a consultant to a number of human rights and humanitarian organizations operating in Sudan. He has recently received a generous grant from the Humanity First Initiative of the Omidyar Network to support his research and travel. In addition to “A Long Day’s Dying,” which was published this spring, he is working on "Sudan — Suffering a Long Way Off,” an in-depth survey of the international response to ongoing war and human destruction in Sudan over the past 18 years.

Reservations are now being accepted for “Environmental Justice: A Native American Perspective” a free talk by noted activist Winona LaDuke, to be held at Holyoke Community College on Tuesday October 9 at 11 a.m.

Reservations should be made by October 2 by calling Student Activities Coordinator Vivian Ostrowski at (413) 552-2418 or by emailing vostrowski@hcc.mass.edu (put “LaDuke” in the subject line.) The talk will take place in the Leslie Phillips Forum of HCC’s “C” building. Anyone with a disability that may require accommodations should call (413) 552-2417 by October 2.

Since graduating from Harvard University in 1982 with a degree in rural economic development, LaDuke has blazed a trail for the environment, Native American rights, and women’s issues. In 1996 and 2000, the Green Party nominated her to serve as its vice presidential candidate, where she campaigned alongside noted consumer advocate Ralph Nader. The mother of three children, LaDuke is also the author of one novel Last Standing Woman (1997), and two non-fiction books, All our Relations: Native Struggles for Land and Life (1999), and Recovering the Sacred: the Power of Naming and Claiming (2005).

For more information about LaDuke’s talk or to arrange an interview, please contact the HCC Office of Marketing and Public Relations at (413) 552-2183.

HCC Connection is published every other Wednesday (or thereabouts) and is distributed to the campus community, and friends of the college, and local media.

To be added to our email distribution list, please email: Kimberly Wison, kwilson@hcc.mass.edu

To submit campus event information for inclusion in HCC Connection, email Natalia Munoz, nmunoz@hcc.mass.eduwith details including date, time, location, cost if any, open to public or not, web links (if appropriate) and contact information (name, phone number, and email). Deadline: end of day Friday before publication.

Natalia Munoz
Assistant Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Holyoke Community College
Phone: (413) 552-2183 Fax: (413) 552-2479
cell: (413) 348-8515 (emergency)
nmunoz@hcc.mass.edunmunoz@hcc.mass.edu
Holyoke Community College is the Commonwealth’s oldest community college, serving almost 9,000 students annually in 82 associate degree options and 42 certificate programs, and over 4,000 in noncredit and workforce development courses. The college has the highest transfer rate of any community college statewide, holding articulation agreements with 27 colleges and universities. Recognized for its Honors Program, distance learning curriculum, learning communities, and service to students, HCC anticipates opening its state of-the-art Kittredge Business Center in Spring 2006.